Love Connection

Strike-A-Match offers musical dates

7/26
In the '70s, The Dating Game had three contestants and a flashy host. Rock was real, and we're betting disco was just a bad pop-culture embellishment. But then there's the embellishment nowadays: getting stuffed in a room with a group of strangers and hoping a hitch happens. Dating services are now as popular as alcohol, topless bars and the West Nile virus. Since the random, fall-in-love-at-first-sight encountering is so not the 21st century, maybe a fund-raiser is a step up in the pay-to-date game. On Saturday, the Haven Women's Outreach hosts Strike-A-Match at the Women's Museum. Singles mingle in speed-dating sessions with the promise to find a mate in seven minutes. The highlight of the evening is a (fully dressed, nonsexual) Swing-Out dance contest. The winning couple takes a trophy home. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Call 1-866-889-5374. --Desirée Henry

7/26
Blood Simple
Simply writing about blood provokes a curled-up position, which shields all arteries from poking and prodding. Our wussiness has prevented us from doing our civic duty, but we have hopes that we will overcome our urge to faint upon entering a blood bank. Maybe we can try again at the American Red Cross Save A Life Tour--a nationwide convoy with the goal of collecting 3 million donations. The tour also includes an interactive museum to educate visitors about the importance of giving blood and signature desserts created for donors by top local chefs. Do a good turn--because we're sure there's a special circle in hell for wimps like us. It's at Valley View Mall on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. Call 972-241-4483. --Michelle Martinez

Mark Andresen

7/27
Check the Label
As if morning hangovers and Mothers Against Drunk Driving weren't bad enough, Central Market has found a new way to take the fun out of drinking. Dinner & Conversation: Wine, Art & History features wine writer Louise Owens discussing the history of wine labels over the past 4,000 years. From ancient etchings on clay jars to today's modern art labels, this "salon" is all about what's on the bottle and not what's in it. At least dinner will be served along with wines from Central Market's huge selection, so you still might be able to walk away tipsy. It happens Sunday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Central Market Cooking School, 5750 E. Lovers Lane. Call 214-361-5754 for reservations. Tickets are $60. --Jay Webb